SPENCER, N.C. (January 19, 2013)—Four people were killed and several others were injured in an SUV crash northeast of Charlotte, N.C., authorities said.

Rowan County EMS Capt. Chris Warr said two of those who were killed were children.

Warr told reporters that the accident occurred at around 8:15 p.m. Friday.

He said nine people, including five children, were in a sport utility vehicle that was on fire when rescue crews arrived.

Several injured passengers were airlifted to area hospitals.

The accident occurred in Spencer, N.C., which is about 50 miles northeast of Charlotte.

The Salisbury Post reported that the vehicle struck a tree.

The cause of the wreck was under investigation.